a tripartite report - Unctad
a tripartite report - Unctad
a tripartite report - Unctad
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ZAMBIA<br />
journal, the Association published an article by the<br />
then Executive Director of the Competition Commission,<br />
Mr. Thula Kaira, on “Why We should have<br />
<br />
to economic growth and poverty reduction were<br />
discussed. In the current journal 152 the Association<br />
has published another article by the Commission<br />
<br />
The Commission admitted that the allocation of<br />
its resources between competition and consumer<br />
protection work tends to favour consumer protection<br />
because of the nature of the work involved,<br />
which requires a lot of consumer education and<br />
awareness. Most of the stakeholders that were in-<br />
<br />
notably the Economics Association of Zambia, cited<br />
the existence of more consumer protection issues<br />
than pure competition issues in the country. A<br />
joint CUTS International/Competition Commission<br />
cerns<br />
in Zambia that was funded by the European<br />
Development Fund (EDF) found that unfair trading<br />
practices in the country centred on misleading<br />
advertising, non-conformity with requirements on<br />
product expiry goods, disclaimers (which were almost<br />
like a disease), and tied selling.<br />
Most of the stakeholders that were interviewed<br />
commended the Commission for highlighting<br />
through its awareness campaigns the consumer<br />
-<br />
129<br />
plementation of the country’s competition and<br />
consumer protection policy and law. Sentiments<br />
expressed in that regard included the following: (i)<br />
there is good sensitization by the Commission of<br />
both consumers and producers over the television<br />
(Zambia Development Agency); (ii) the public is<br />
now aware of the Commission’s existence, particularly<br />
of its consumer protection activities (Citizens<br />
Economic Empowerment Commission); (iii) the<br />
public knowledge of competition and consumer<br />
protection policy and law has increased because<br />
of the Commission’s awareness programmes, particularly<br />
in relation to product safety and in the<br />
area of sub-standard goods (Zambia Association<br />
of Chambers of Commerce and Industry); (iv) the<br />
Commission tries to sensitize the business community<br />
and the general public on consumer issues<br />
through its weekly newspaper column, and its<br />
stakeholder workshops (CUTS International); and<br />
(v) the Commission’s weekly newspaper column is<br />
in the right direction of educating consumers of<br />
their right, and on how to channel their complaints<br />
(Economics Association of Zambia).<br />
The Commission’s weekly column in The Post<br />
newspaper of 17 October 2011 during the fact-<br />
<br />
feedback on the efforts by the Commission in sensitizing<br />
the general public on consumer protection<br />
issues. The article is reproduced in full in Box 12<br />
because of its relevance:<br />
Box 12: Newspaper Article on CCPC Conducts Inspections in Eastern Province,<br />
The Post, 17 October 2011<br />
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recently conducted a sensitization and enforcement tour<br />
in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The Commission toured 6 districts of Eastern Province, namely Luangwa, Nyimba,<br />
Petauke, Katete, Chipata and Chadiza. The aim of the tour was to register the presence and functions of the<br />
Commission to both traders and consumers in the Province, sensitize consumers on their rights and obligations<br />
and how to lodge complaints with the Commission.<br />
1`|The Commission also wanted to check for the display of disclaimers of “No Return, No Refund, No Exchange”<br />
in trading premises whose display are prohibited under Section 48(1) of the Competition and Consumer Protection<br />
Act No. 24 of 2010 (‘the Act’), sensitize traders on their obligations and rights under the Act and to establish<br />
networks between the Commission and local authorities.<br />
The majority if not all members of the public in Eastern Province expressed gratitude over the Commission’s visit,<br />
which showed that there is concern about their welfare. There were a lot of views expressed on the need for the<br />
Commission to engage consumers in the Province as many were not aware of their rights and they do not have the<br />
muscle to enforce their rights against the ‘strong’ traders.<br />
On the other hand, some traders also welcomed the Commission’s tour stating that it is important for traders to<br />
also know their rights and obligations.<br />
ZAMBIA